The Jefferson Parish School Board and its teachers union have signed a third contract extension, saying they are not quite ready to approve a new agreement for the current academic year.

Representatives of the School Board and the 3,600-member Jefferson Federation of Teachers gave themselves until Oct. 7 to reach a new agreement.

In a statement posted on the union's Web site, the federation's president, Meladie Munch, said the federation is disappointed in the delays but that it is "procedural and not due to any substantial contention at that time.

"We believe the district is negotiating in good faith and not purposely delaying the process, " she wrote. "The next few rounds of talks will show us whether that assessment is correct."

The school system's deputy superintendent, Richard Carpenter, expressed optimism that a new contract will be reached by Oct. 7. The School Board meets that day and could act on a proposed contract at that time.

"Each team has thoroughly reviewed each of the 116 articles in the contract and other issues not addressed in the current contract, " Carpenter said. "There has been productive give and take on both sides."

Munch attributed the delays, in part, to the fact that several members of the board's negotiating team are new to the process.

"It's been a learning curve to understand why certain articles exist and explain the reasons behind them, " she said. "We've gone through everything with a fine-tooth comb, and that's what is taking so long."

In addition, the school system has initiated several curriculum changes since the current contract was negotiated in 2004. Technology, for instance, is now a major part of the learning and teaching process, Munch said. Interval assessment, a form of testing designed to prepare students for high-stakes testing in the spring, began in 2006.

The current four-year union contract was to expire June 30, and officials had hoped to have a new contract in place by then or, at the latest, by the start of school on Aug. 17. When it was clear that an agreement would not be reached by June 30, the two sides extended the contract through July then through Sept. 8.

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Barri Bronston can be reached at bbronston@timespicayune.com or 504.883.7058.